Biological deterioration is the most important issue facing the use of bamboo as a bioresource. To identify the fungi responsible for bamboo degradation, isolates were obtained from three decaying bamboo species and evaluated. A total of 16 genera and 18 species of fungi were isolated and identified. The major fungi causing serious damage are Trametes versicolor and Arthrinium arundinis, which caused the largest weight losses in tests, of approximately 21.6% and 17.9%, respectively. This investigation confirms that the natural durability of bamboo in outdoor utilization is low.

This research was performed to evaluate the level of exposure of buildings to rain in Korea. The impingement of driving rain by wind is evaluated by driving rain index (DRI). Average annual driving rain indexes (AADRI) for 64 stations spread all over Korea have been determined by using the data of wind speed and precipitation obtained from Korea Meteorological Adminstration (KMA). Based on the values, the regions has been classified as low, moderate, and high. No high exposure regions were found in Korea; 22 regions with moderate exposure and 42 regions with low exposure. Although the values are very dependent on climate change, most of Korea except several regions such as Daegwallyeong, Busan, Yeosu, and Jeju island may be evaluated to be the region where exposure of buildings to driving rain is low to moderate.

This research was performed to evaluate the decay hazard for exterior above-ground wood in Korea. The Scheffer index (decay hazard index) was determined using the climate data of 72 different locations obtained from the website of Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), and the wood decay hazard map was created. Jeju, Seogwipo, Gwangju, and Jeonju showing above 65 of Scheffer index values were considered to be high decay hazard zones. The rest showed the values in the range between 35 and 65, meaning the moderate decay hazard zones. However, the annual Scheffer indexes largely varied, which suggests that many moderate decay zones could turn into high decay regions with the climate change. Especially, considering that Korean weather tends to turn into the weather of subtropical region, the decay hazard of Korea seems to have high possibility to be gradually increased.

This research was performed to investigate the effect of recent climate changes on wood decay hazard index (Scheffer index) in Korea. The index was determined using a climate data of 58 different locations obtained from the website of Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), and the wood decay hazard index was determined at the intervals of 10 years. Most of regions in Korea except Juju island showed wood decay hazard index values between 35 and 65, considered to be moderate decay hazard zones. But in recent 10 years (2003∼2012), the wood decay hazard index was rapidly increased, resulting in showing many high decay hazard regions. The trend may be explained by the in

This research was performed to evaluate the decay hazard for exterior aboveground wood in Korea. The decay hazard (Scheffer) index values were calculated for 56 locations in Korea using the 1972 to 2011 climate normal data available from the Korea Meteorological Administration, and the wood decay hazard maps were created on the basis of the determined values. Jeju Province, Korea's largest island lying in the Korea Strait, southwest of South Jeolla Province, has decay hazard ratings above 70, considered a severe decay hazard zone according to the generally accepted classifications. The index values of the other areas are in the range between 35 and 70, meaning that Korea could be considered a moderate decay zone. However, the annual Scheffer index values calculated from recent climate data tend to be higher than the average index values. The comparison of annual Scheffer index values showed that many moderate decay areas in Korea could be severe decay hazard areas due to directional or cyclical climate change. This suggests that proper wood protection is greatly needed and more critical in the future.